VC challenges INEC over free, fair polls

Awka – The Vice Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Prof. Bioniface Egboka, has challenged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure the conduct of a free, fair and credible gubernatorial election in Anambra in 2010.

Egboka gave the challenge in Awka while speaking at a political awareness workshop on the forthcoming governorship election organised by the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), Anambra Council.

He described the current political situation in the state as very â€œunpalatableâ€ , pointing out that the conduct of a credible election was imperative for the emergence of good leaders.

The vice chancellor, who was the chairman of the occasion, urged political leaders and those aspiring to contest elective positions to build confidence in the electorate.

â€œAnambra state looks like an enigma, somersaulting from one administration to another,â€ Egboka said.

He called on the people to ask questions on the state resources and how they were managed, arguing that if they lacked the courage, they were doomed.
Also speaking, the Traditional Ruler of Awka, Igwe Gibson Nwosu, urged aspirants to political offices to earn the votes of the electorate by contributing to the development of the state.

Earlier in her address, the Chairmanwoman of NUJ in the state, Ms Tochukwu Udoji, emphasised that a free and fair election was the only option for a credible government.

She contended that as long as an electoral injustice was allowed to exist, political instability would continue to be the order of the day.